Happy Monday, everyone! ‘Tis the season for cover reveals and I’m so excited that I have another one to share with you! Today, I feel very fortunate to host the exclusive cover reveal for debut author, Eric Bell, and his forthcoming #OwnVoices MG release, Alan Cole Is Not A Coward! Coming to a bookstore and library near you September 5th, 2017 from Katherine Tegen Books, Alan Cole Is Not A Coward follows the story of Alan Cole, a young boy grappling with the realities of identifying as gay and coming out while also dealing with the attentions of a cruel, tyrannical older brother, a demanding father and the minutiae of middle school and everyday life. The cover of Alan Cole Is Not A Coward was illustrated by Julia Kuo and was designed by Aurora Parlagreco. Please read on to learn more about this inspiring middle grade release, including an exclusive cover reveal and a touching, personal note from the author about the novel’s origins and inspiration, as well as an opportunity for one lucky readers to win an advance reader copy of Alan Cole Is Not A Coward!
Alan Cole Is Not A Coward came about in large part because I wanted to tell a middle grade story about a gay kid, about the challenges he would face from being in the closet and having his uneasy sanctuary threatened by a bully, about how the road to satisfaction and happiness starts with self-worth. But there’s more to Alan Cole than being gay. He’s an artist who wants to change the world with a painting of a face. He’s a little brother who lives in the dark shadow of his horrible older sibling, who subjects him to all manner of physical and psychological terrors. He’s an introvert who feels like his skin is on fire when people start arguing and who doesn’t have the toolkit to realize it’s okay to problem solve in different ways. He’s a son who’s nicknamed “Goldfish,” so small, so insignificant. He’s a deadpan narrator who tries to handle bad situations with wry jokes and silly observations. And he’s, perhaps most prominently, not a coward, despite what his brother would have him believe. All of these things are Alan, and yet Alan, like everyone, is more than the sum of his parts.
When I wrote this book, I had almost hoped it would be obsolete by the time it saw print. Maybe someday we’ll live in a world where people don’t have to fear coming out. But we’re not there yet. And so, I’d like to give Alan Cole as a gift to anyone — gay, straight, anything on the wide spectrum of identity — who’s ever needed a reminder that they’re not a coward after all.
About Eric Bell
Eric Bell graduated from the Robert E. Cook Honors College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with a degree in Psychology and a minor in English. Once the other kids at recess began pretending to go on the adventures he came up with, he never stopped telling stories. Alan Cole Is Not A Coward is his first novel.
Title Alan Cole Is Not A Coward
Author Eric Bell
Pages 272 Pages
Intended Target Audience Middle Grade
To Be Published September 5th, 2017 by Katherine Tegen Books
Find It On Goodreads ● Amazon.com ● Chapters ● The Book Depository
Alan Cole is not a coward…right?
He can’t stand up to his cruel brother, Nathan. He can’t escape the wrath of his demanding father, who thinks he’s about as exceptional as a goldfish. And — scariest of all — he can’t let the cute boy across the cafeteria know he has a crush on him.
But when Nathan discovers Alan’s secret, his older brother announces a high-stakes round of Cole vs. Cole. Each brother must complete seven nearly impossible tasks; whoever finishes the most wins the game. If Alan doesn’t want to be outed to all of Evergreen Middle School, he’s got to become the most well-known kid in school, get his first kiss, and stand up to Dad — and all with the help of only two friends even less cool than he is.
Giving up is for cowards, and Alan’s determined to prove — to Nathan, to the world, to himself — that this goldfish can learn to swim. May the best Cole win.
Eric Bell’s debut novel is a smart, hilarious, and poignant coming-of-age story about trust, family, and learning to stand up for yourself, no matter how many times you have to dive into the deep end.
As an extra, exciting bonus, Erin has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win an advance reader copy of Alan Cole Is Not A Coward! This contest is open to U.S. residents only and the prize will be distributed once ARCs become available. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!
4 Responses
Looks fabulous, Eric. So happy for you!
Good luck Eric! Hard work and talent have paid off! Much success to you and Alan
Can’t wait to read it! Good luck Eric!
Anxious to read!